A NORTH East artist’s abstract glasswork has been voted the nation’s best new design by a panel of industry experts.

Emma Hollins may have only just graduated from the University of Sunderland but already her creations are making an impact in the art world.

She has been unveiled as the winner of the main contemporary glass prize for an “exceptional” piece of work by the Contemporary Glass Society New Designers.

The 22-year-old presented her piece of art, called Emerging Image – Linear Abstraction, at the New Designers’ exhibition in London, which showcases the work of 3,500 students.

The judges said that Emma’s use of glass and the “careful investigation” of all the materials drew the viewer in to “interact and explore its depth”.

Emma, who studied a three-year glass and ceramics degree, said: “New Designers was a great chance to exhibit my work. I have received so many compliments from people for my work and I feel so lucky to have come from a group of such talented artists at university.”